The 6 best pre and post workout juices for you

It’s important to fuel up on the right nutrients before and after an intense workout in order to give your body the power and energy it needs to perform and recover.

Green juices are the best pre-workout drinks because not only do they improve respiratory function and increase blood count, they also help to reduce inflammation brought on by the physical demands of your workout. The best post-workout drinks are those that hydrate and replenish your body with lost electrolytes and energy.

We’ve found 6 healthy and delicious juices for you to try out the next time you work out. Believe us when we say you’ll be wanting seconds!

Minty Apple and Kale Juice

Why it’s good for you: The nutrients in kale help kickstart your metabolism, helping you burn more calories throughout your workout. Kale also has very high amounts of fiber, which helps satisfy your appetite and keep you from snacking on high-sugar foods throughout the day. The apple in this juice is an added bonus, providing you with extra fiber and assisting in regulating your blood sugar.

Ingredients:

6 kale leaves

1 cucumber

1 green apple

A few chunks of pineapple

A couple of mint leaves

1 lime with peel

Fresh Spinach Juice

Why it’s good for you: Spinach is a super food, packing tons of amazing nutrients to nourish your body and mind. Among the top nutrients in spinach is iron, which plays a huge role in the maintenance of a healthy digestive tract. Spinach is also a great source of magnesium, which helps your body efficiently metabolize energy and maintain a healthy immune system. A cup of this drink and you’re sure to be in top form for your workout!

Ingredients:

3 cups spinach leaves

1 cucumber

5 stalks celery

1 carrot

2-3 fresh romaine leaves

1 inch fresh ginger root

½ cup fresh parsley

½ apple

¼ lemon

½ cup water if using a blender

Tangy Beet Juice

Apple, Carrot and Beet juice.

Why it’s good for you: Beets are a natural source of nitrates, which aid in reducing blood pressure and allowing for more blood flow, essential during a physical workout. Nitrates also have been discovered to increase mitochondrial efficiency, which can lead to increased endurance- fantastic for athletes looking for that extra natural boost!

Ingredients:

3 medium beets, trimmed, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

2 large carrots, washed and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 Granny Smith apple, cored and quartered

1 Gala apple, cored and quartered

1 3-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Recipe coutesy theironyou.com

Citrusy Avocado Juice

Why it’s good for you: This delicious avocado juice is the perfect post workout drink. Avocado has a very high monounsaturated fat intake which aids in muscle repair. Oleic acid is the specific type of monounsaturated fat found in an avocado and it’s this fat that helps reduce inflammation in muscles. And because avocado is very high in fiber, it will keep your appetite satisfied for hours after a workout!

Ingredients:

1 avocado

1 cup cantaloupe chunks

1 1/1 tsp. lime juice

1 cup fat free milk

1 cup fat free, plain yogurt

1 Tsp. honey

Delicious Homemade Chocolate Milk

Why it’s good for you: Research published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism found chocolate milk to be a fantastic post-workout recovery aid. They discovered that chocolate milk replenishes muscle glycogen and rehydrates the body just as well as post-workout favourite Gatorade!

Store bought chocolate milk:

Try: Avalon’s organic chocolate milk

Homemade chocolate milk:

1 glass milk

1 Tsp. raw cacao

1 Tsp. honey

Sweet Pineapple and Celery Juice

Healthy organic pineapple juice.

Why it’s good for you: Pineapple is loaded with vitamin C, an antioxidant that aids in both tissue growth and repair. Pineapple is also amazing for glycogen growth, a lot of which gets depleted during a workout. This juice also features celery, a vegetable wonderful for reducing inflammation and providing relief to sore muscles post workout.